Study on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Nosocomial Infection of Doctors and Nurses in Intensive Care Units

Objective To find out the reasons and factors associated with nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICU), in order to prevent and control severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Methods Data on the nosocomial infection were collected by on the spot study, interviewing doctors and nurses, questionare and photograph taking. Results 41 doctors and nurses were infected with SARS through the contact of SARS patients in ICU. The infection rate of SARS in ICU was15.65%(account for 262 total infection cases) and the incidence of doctors and nurses infected by SARS was 13.53%(account for 303 total persons in ICU) in 7 hospitals. The infection rate of doctor and nurse infected by SARS showed great variation between central air conditioning and with door and window opened in ICU (χ2=11.05,P 0.005). It also showed a marked different in the infection rate among three different conditions: windows opened+air cleaner, lamina ventilation and air conditioning +air cleaner(χ2=28.17,P 0.005). The infection rate of the traditional comprehensive Chinese medicine hospital in taking SARS patients and the specialized hospital also showed significant difference (χ2=11.55,P 0.005 ). Conclusions Intensive Care Units (ICU) is the dangerous site for SARS infection of the doctors and nurses who were treating SARS patients. In order to lower the infection rate, the key of control measure are improving environmental ventilation in ICU and keeping a good physical protection of doctor and nurses.